planning and orientation for practicum in gerontology (gero 400a/b) courses march 2015 edition...
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Planning and Orientation for
Practicum in Gerontology (Gero 400A/B) Courses
March 2015 Edition
Applicable for:Gerontology Majors, Gerontology Minor.
Steps in Identifying and Confirming Your Practicum for Gero 400A or B Course1. Student Gero Practicum Course Eligibility2. Practicum Planning Timelines3. Practicum Planning Selection and Decision-
Making Process for Agency internship4. Interview Preparation and Process5. Practicum Confirmation6. Semester Schedules & Gero 400
Planning/Preparation7. Gero 400 Course Requirements &
Expectations8. Contact information9. References
1. Course Eligibility for Gero 400 A/BSchedule an appointment with your Undergraduate
Advisor, Jessica Robinson (HH 109) to ensure Gero 400A/B Course eligibility. [email protected]
Practicum in Gerontology Curriculum (SDSU General Catalog & School Web site):◦ Major Status (all pre-major courses have been
completed before declaring Gerontology major).◦ Completed and passed the Gero 300 level courses.
Course pre-requisites listed as: Gerontology 350, 360, and 370.
◦ Senior Status, Class Level 4 (at least 90 earned units).◦ Major GPA of 2.0 or higher.◦ Minimum SDSU campus overall 2.0 GPA or higher and
be in good academic standing.◦ Passing Agency Interview & Confirmation (incl. agency
screening processes)
Changes in Field Changes in Field RequirementsRequirementsPer 2013-14 Catalogue Per 2013-14 Catalogue In AY 2013-14 the Gerontology
Course requirements for Gero 400 A / B changed
If you started the Gero major in 2013-14 Gero B is an optional elective
If you started Gero major in 2012 or any time before 2013-14 …
Gero A and Gero B are both REQUIRED
2. Practicum Planning - Timeline Planning
Students: Please plan on identifying , selecting, interviewing, and obtaining agency confirmation one semester before enrolling in the Gero 400 Practicum Course.
Begin Practicum Process in Feb/March for Gero 400 in Fall Semester. Last day class Spring semester is deadline for Fall Gero 400 A/B
Begin Practicum Process in Sept - December for Gero 400 in Spring Semester.
Last day of classes prior to starting Gero 400 course, is the deadline to confirm an agency
Deadlines for Internship Deadlines for Internship Selection 2015-16 Selection 2015-16
For Fall 2015 deadline is May 7th, 2015
For Spring 2016– deadline is Dec. 10th 2015 (last day of class)
Agency Data Sheet turned in to Jessica Robinson – hard copy to her office.
No Summer Gero 400 A/B internship available any more due to resources
Summer 2015 NO Gero Summer 2015 NO Gero 400400Gero 400 will NOT be offered in
the Summer 2015 due to faculty & resource reductions (too few students to justify a course)
It will not be offered in the future during the summer
Field Data Sheet AvailableField Data Sheet AvailableGERO400A/BPracticumConfirmationForm.docHard copy available at todays
meeting or from Jessica Robinson or web site:
http://socialwork.sdsu.edu/field/program-descriptions/gerontology-undergraduate/
Or request form from Maria [email protected]
Practicum Planning Process – Why Begin Planning Now?
1. Other professional disciplines engaging in same process for internships at the same time.
2. Agency Practicum Confirmation will take several months for:
◦ Reviewing Gero Agency Practicum Lists;◦ Identifying potential agency interests.◦ Attending the current SDSU School of Social
Work/Gerontology Agency Fair (held January or February each year)
◦ Selecting an agency◦ Preparing self for professional interview (resume,
references)
3. Agency interview, confirmation, scheduling and completing additional Agency Screenings.
4. Ensure student eligibility for course.
3. Practicum Selection & Decision-Making ProcessSteps to Follow:1. Attend Gero Orientation & Planning Mtg.
2. Review School-approved Gero Agency Practicum Sites List* (latest edition).
3. Attend current SDSU SSW Agency Fair – Jan. or Feb. each year (refer to SSW Field Edu Calendar for dates) Feb 6th, 2015 (Montezuma Hall 9 AM to 12 PM)
4. Consult with fellow Gero colleagues regarding their prior practicum experiences
5. Consultation with Gero Faculty, Director of Field Education, Practicum Site supervisors, Gero Field Faculty, Ms. Siegel
6. Schedule and interview(s) with Agency.
7. Obtain confirmation by Agency Site Supervisor.
8. Schedule and complete additional Agency Screenings ASAP.
9. Keep informed and updated regarding GERO Practicum / Announcements, etc.
*Note: Each School-Approved Gerontology Practicum site is in compliance with the SDSU University regulations & screening process
◦Agency Site Application◦Gero Field Instructor/Site Supervisor
Profile◦University-Organization Service Learning
Agreement (SLA)Review school web site for further information@ http://socialwork.sdsu.edu/field/prospective/application-process/
4. Preparing for The Professional InterviewAfter identifying and selecting an agency for your
future practicum, the following steps are recommended in preparing for your professional interview:
1. Be informed and do your research about the agency - Review the agency’s website.
2. Prepare your Resume and have a possible List of Professional References (if requested from the Agency)
3. Contact SDSU Career Services for resume and interview assistance.
4. Are your voice mail message and email addresses professional?
5. Demonstrating Professionalism during your interview1. Professional demeanor, presence, tone.2. Professional appearance, language, etc.-
The Professional InterviewPrepare for usual Agency FAQs.Arrive at least15 minutes early!Consider previous and/or relevant experiences
and skills that may prepare you for the Gero experience(volunteer, internship, employment).
Review education.Demonstrate motivation, enthusiasm, interest,
etc. Show your best “professional self”.Agency may request a resume, references,
and a writing sample at the time of interview?Prepare in advance your questions for
prospective supervisor.
5. Agency ConfirmationAgency Supervisor will directly contact students
to inform them of acceptance. Student will also inform Agency of their acceptance.
Students will complete additional Agency Screenings, immediately e.g. health examinations; TB test; immunization verification; security clearances; fingerprinting; random drug screenings, etc.
Student will inform the future Gero 400 course instructor of the agency confirmation and Gero site supervisor identified.
Student will contact Supervisor to arrange weekly practicum schedule before the Semester begins.
Begin preparing for the Gero course in the preceding semester.
6. Semester Schedules & Gero 400 PlanningSemester Schedules can be discussed during the
interview and immediately upon confirmation.Students are expected to defer vacations so
they do not have absences in practicum when school is in session
Students are expected to be in their Gero 400A or B course for the entire semester; in accordance with SDSU Calendar, from the first week when classes begin until classes end in the last week.
Reminder – the student’s practicum schedule is the responsibility of the Agency and Student (in accordance with School policies and University semester time periods).
Begin preparing for the Gero course in the next semester.
GERO Course Preparation
Review the University Calendar Schedule – Gero 400 Field begins first week of classes
Plan for 200 hours practicum semester per semester; approximately 13-14 hours per week
Priority in scheduling is given, in order, to: 1) classes, including practicum seminar; 2) practicum experience; 3) student’s other responsibilities.
It is recommended that the student prepare for Internship life and begin making proactive personal arrangements, e.g. childcare, work schedule, hours, etc.
Review your weekly schedule with Agency Supervisor before the semester begins.
When the Semester begins…ensure contact with Gero 400 instructor for first class meeting schedule.
7. Course Requirements – Gero 400 A/BPracticum Internship & Mission Must complete all 200 hours for each Gero 400 Course
during the semester you are enrolled in the class (in accordance with University semester schedules).
Two practicum agency experiences. (If the student wishes to continue in same agency for Gero 400 B, prior approval is required by School field director. Student must demonstrate different experiences, program, and supervisor for second semester.)
Course Syllabus and Assignments:◦ Orientation checklists. / Learning plans.◦ Required Practicum Hrs. by the University-course calendar.◦ Weekly supervision.◦ Attend and participate in course seminar (1-2 class
meetings).◦ Final Student Self-evaluation paper◦ Supervisor completes Skills Evaluations Form of Students.
8. Contact Information:
Undergraduate Gero Course Sequence and Eligibility - Contact: Jessica Robinson, Undergraduate AdvisorHH 109 / [email protected]
Gero 400 Practicum Course Questions – Contact:Candy Elson, LCSW, Director of Field EducationHH 114C / [email protected] Gero Curriculum Chair: Dr. J. Min HH 208 /[email protected]
9. Gero Program - References
SSW & Gerontology Program Web Sitehttp://socialwork.sdsu.edu/field/program-
descriptions/gerontology-undergraduate/
Ensure you are listed in School Communications Central for Gero announcements and updates – contact Sylvia T. (HH 119).
Contact Gerontology Student Association (GSA) for updates. Refer to GSA Bulletin Board.
SDSU Career Services
Career Services http://career.sdsu.edu 619.594.6851 / SSE-1200Interview Questions and
Preparation (handouts on web site)Resume Writing AssistanceCareer CounselorsVideotapingWorkshops
Good Luck with planning for Good Luck with planning for Gero 400 A / BGero 400 A / B
Good luck on your interviews!